feel

verb

\ ˈfēl

felt\ ˈfelt

\; feeling

Definition of feel

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2a : to undergo passive experience of continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by felt the insult deeply

3 : to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4a : to be aware of by instinct or inference feel trouble brewing

b : believe, think say what you really feel

5 US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.— Scott Sugarman When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?— Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b : to search for something by using the sense of touch She felt in her purse for her keys.

2a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition I feel sick.

b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion feels strongly about it

3 : seem it feels like spring today

4 : to have sympathy or pity I feel for you

feel like

: to have an inclination for feel like a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : sensation, feeling

2 : the sense of touch

3a : the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b : typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4 : intuitive knowledge or ability

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about feel

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Synonyms for feel

Synonyms: Verb

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Synonyms: Noun

feeling, sensation, sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg. I could feel the warmth of the sun. I felt someone tap my shoulder. Do you feel a draft? She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique. He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The keyboard isn't mechanical, but Acer tried to give a bit of that feel with special MagForce WASD keys. — Melissa Riofrio, PCWorld, "I could slide the Acer Predator Helios 700's HyperDrift keyboard all day," 12 Apr. 2019 And with the trial runner design, you'll be connected to the trail and feel it underfoot. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Hiking Boots for Exploring the Outdoors," 9 Apr. 2019 The two and their childhood friend Hesam Rahmanian collage and paint over images from television news and internet feeds to make haunting, psychedelic images that feel deeper and truer than the source material. — The Seattle Times, "Look Ahead: The hottest Seattle events for April 2019," 5 Apr. 2019 The texture is jelly-like and ever so slightly tacky, but absorbs readily without feeling greasy. — Karina Hoshikawa, Allure, "Exclusive: Glow Recipe Is Launching a Pineapple-Infused Vitamin C Serum, and It's So Good," 31 Mar. 2019 Navigate through dozens of short documentaries by feeling. — The Seattle Times, "I want to feel ...," 28 Mar. 2019 The exhibit gave me the impression that Kahlo would have felt at home in today’s world of selfies and photo filters and would have definitely been an Instagram queen. — Lillian Dondero, ELLE Decor, "Fashionably Late: An Editor's Take on the Frida Kahlo Exhibit in Brooklyn," 27 Mar. 2019 Neighbors felt compelled to cut the hedges and clean up garbage at empty houses. ... — Laura Kusisto, WSJ, "A Decade After the Housing Bust, the Exurbs Are Back," 26 Mar. 2019 One big takeaway from Schumer's honesty about her own pregnancy complications is that other women should feel empowered to speak up about theirs. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "5 Times Amy Schumer Got Real About Pregnancy in Her Netflix Special 'Growing'," 26 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The rest of his outfit was decidedly more low-key: black jeans and purple Nike Air Force Ones gave his bold ensemble a more casual feel. — Vogue, "Quavo Serves Up a Lesson in the Art of Rocking Tie-Dye," 11 Apr. 2019 Even though tweed can sometimes look stuffy, Kate added high, pointed heels, which, combined with the frayed edges of the skirt and jacket, gave the outfit a more modern and updated feel. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Just Wore the Most Perfect Work-Appropriate Look," 13 Feb. 2019 One is that everyday sweater almost everyone keeps at-hand in the closet, the other is technically the same fabric, but with a superbly soft feel that persuades you to linger awhile. — Olivia Martin, Town & Country, "How Loro Piana Works With Mongolian Goat Herds to Gather the World's Softest Cashmere," 25 Oct. 2018 Courtney Cox paid a visit to her old NYC digs in an Instagram post that had us all in our feels. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Courtney Cox Visited The Friends Apartment and it's The Best Thing You'll See All Day," 21 Mar. 2019 The Chinese Cultural Revolution was a bitter thing, a catastrophe comparable in its societal effects, and similar in its historical feel, to the terrors of Stalin and the French Revolution. — Peggy Noonan, WSJ, "Get Ready for the Struggle Session," 7 Mar. 2019 The single best way to know a good deal is to periodically search a specific route, getting a feel for what a readily, widely available price often looks like. — Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Find Cheap Flights," 25 Sep. 2018 The faceted metal frames come in an endless multitude of shapes, from modernist cubes and spheres to more complex house-like silhouettes with an almost Victorian feel. — Michele Petry, House Beautiful, "Until It’s Gardening Weather Again, I’ll Be Staring at These Tabletop Terrariums," 21 Feb. 2019 The pure lines of the room offer a simple yet refined environment with a Creole feel, made with stone, wood, resin, and gray marble. — Hannah Seligson, Town & Country, "The Best Room At," 9 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.